Steve has been in private practice for twenty-six years, and has successfully litigated and tried numerous complex cases to verdict. His experience includes breach of contract and insurance coverage matters; environmental contamination claims; products liability and toxic torts; and professional malpractice. Steve has also served as regional counsel to companies developing coordinated litigation strategies and public relations maintenance.
Steve is currently representing a former shipyard in the Portland Harbor Superfund Cleanup matter initiated by the Federal EPA and Oregon DEQ. This matter involves over 100 parties who are all attempting to allocate and mediate responsibility, primarily for sediment cleanup costs and natural resource damages estimated at $300,000,000. Steve is also a former chair of the Oregon State Bar Products Liability Section, and is regularly selected by parties to serve as an arbitrator in civil cases.
Education
J.D. Drake University Law School, Des Moines, Iowa -- 1983
B.A. the College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College) Ewing, NJ -- 1978
Rutgers University -- 1977
Employment
Shareholder, Rizzo Mattingly Bosworth PC, since 2007
Shareholder, Steven V. Rizzo, P.C., 2001-2007
Partner, Seidl & Rizzo LLP, 1995-2000
Shareholder, Bullivant Houser Bailey, P.C., 1991-1995; Associate Attorney, 1983-1991
Prosecutor Intern, Dallas County District Attorney, 1982
Judicial Intern, Hon. D. Dortch Warriner, USDC, Richmond, VA, Summer 1981
Investigator, Burlington County District Attorney, 1979-1980
Bar Memberships
Admitted in California, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington
US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
USDC, District of Idaho
USDC, District of Oregon
USDC, District of W. Washington
Professional and Civic Involvement
Oregon State Bar Environmental and Natural Resources Committee, since 2005
Past Chair, Oregon State Bar Products Liability Committee, 1995-1996; Member, Executive Committee of the Section on Toxic Torts 1994
Multnomah County Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Committee, 1992-1994
Defense Research Institute, Drug and Medical Device Committee, since 1991
Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, since 1991
Class Agent, Drake University Law School, 2005
Member, Board of Directors, Friends of the Portland Children’s Museum, 1989-1992
Articles and Presentations
Moderator/Program Planner, Oregon State Bar CLE, “Powerful Motion Practice”, 2004
Author/Speaker, Oregon State Bar CLE, “Motion Practice in Civil Actions”, 1999
Author/Speaker, Multnomah County Bar CLE, “Demonstrative Evidence from Production to Presentation”, 1998
Author, Oregon Litigation Journal, “Outline for Defense of Psychological Injury Claims”, 1994
Co-Author, Oregon Litigation Journal, “Remittitur Required in Oregon Following Oberg v. Honda”, 1994
Recognition and Awards
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
Recipient, Oregon State Bar Public Affairs Program Certificate of Appreciation, 1999
Recipient, Oregon State Bar Pro Bono Publico Award, 1989
Member, The Order of Barristers
Published Member, Drake Law Review
Captain, Drake National Mock Trial Team
Recipient, Drake Outstanding Oral Advocate Award
Finalist, C. Edwin Moore Appellate Advocacy Competition
Personal
Married to Joanne, with two sons (Nathan and Thomas)
Languages: Proficiency in French and Italian
Did you know?
Steve is an avid tennis player; he dreams of hitting forehands like Roger Federer.
